Chapter 40: Tests

A/N: Forgive me guys I had exams and because of some dumb fck cheating, it even got postponed causing this big delay.

But now its over and I can upload properly now.

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Ben accepted the token.

"Understood."

"The first part of the examination will begin in one hour. Make sure you arrive at the main examination area before then."

Ben nodded and left the registration counter.

Amanda and Maya were waiting nearby. Maya glanced at the token in his hand.

"Did everything go smoothly?"

"Yes. The first test begins in an hour."

Amanda nodded. "Then take this time to rest. The examination could last several hours."

Ben looked across the academy grounds. "Do you know what the first test will be?"

"They change the examination every year," Amanda replied. "We’ll have to wait until the instructors announce it."

"Then I’ll see when the time comes."

The three of them moved away from the registration area and found a quiet spot near the academy entrance. Ben sat down and waited for the examination to begin.

As the hour passed, more young cultivators arrived. The entrance gradually filled with participants, and the surrounding area grew crowded.

Then, a loud bell rang across the academy grounds.

The conversations around them faded as an instructor stepped onto a raised platform.

"All registered participants, proceed to the main examination area."

The young cultivators began moving toward the designated location. Ben stood up and followed the crowd, looking at the vast training grounds ahead.

This was his first step toward becoming a student of Jupiter Academy.

The participants were led to a large arena within the academy grounds. Tall walls surrounded the testing area, while a powerful energy barrier covered the arena. Several instructors stood near the entrances, guiding the candidates to their assigned sections.

Ben followed the others until he reached the main examination area.

A large screen hung above the arena, displaying information about the entrance examination. An instructor stepped onto the central platform and surveyed the crowd.

"Welcome to the Jupiter Academy entrance examination. There will be five parts, each designed to evaluate a different aspect of your abilities."

He waited for the crowd to settle before continuing.

"We will begin with the first part: Potential Determination."

The screen changed, displaying the details of the test.

[First Examination: Potential Determination]

[Passing Requirement: Combat Score of 500 or higher]

[Evaluation Method: Combat against a Combat Golem]

[Objective: Survive for five minutes]

[Difficulty: The Combat Golem’s combat power will increase by 10% every minute]

Ben studied the information.

"So we only need to survive for five minutes?"

"The Combat Golem will begin at a level appropriate to your current cultivation," the instructor explained. "Its combat power will increase by ten percent every minute. Your score will depend on how well you withstand its attacks and respond to the challenge."

He looked across the assembled participants.

"You are not required to defeat the golem. Your objective is to survive for five minutes. Anyone who fails to achieve the required combat score will be eliminated from this stage."

The candidates began whispering among themselves. Some seemed relieved that they did not have to defeat the golem, while others were concerned about its steadily increasing strength.

Ben remained composed. The test seemed simple enough, but the golem’s growing combat power could make the final minutes difficult.

The instructor raised his hand, and the screen changed again.

[Combat Golem: First Stage]

[Combat Power Increase: 10% per minute]

[Required Survival Time: 5 minutes]

"Participants will be tested one at a time. When your name is called, enter the arena and begin. The golem will stop once the five-minute limit is reached or if you become unable to continue."

Ben turned his attention toward the arena.

Several Combat Golems stood in separate testing areas. Their bodies were made of dark metal, and glowing energy cores were embedded in their chests. Each one resembled a heavily built humanoid warrior, though they were much larger than an ordinary person.

Ben could sense the energy contained within them.

The instructor continued, "Remember, this is only the first part of the examination. You still have four more tests ahead of you, so manage your energy carefully."

Ben nodded to himself. He had no intention of revealing his strongest abilities during the opening test.

With his cultivation at the First Stage of the Silver Realm, he was confident he could last five minutes without using White Ruination or summoning either of his Ruination Beasts. He only needed to control his strength and avoid unnecessary risks.

The instructor glanced at the registration list.

"The first participant, step forward."

A young man walked into the arena and stopped in front of the Combat Golem. The energy barrier activated around the testing area.

The instructor gave the signal.

"Begin!"

The Combat Golem moved at once, charging toward the young cultivator.

The first test of the Jupiter Academy entrance examination had begun.

The Combat Golem charged toward the young cultivator, its heavy footsteps shaking the arena floor.

The young man reacted quickly. He moved to the side just as the golem’s fist struck the ground where he had been standing. A deep crack spread across the stone floor.

The young man didn’t waste the opening. He gathered energy into his right arm and struck the golem’s shoulder.

A sharp impact rang through the arena.

The golem’s body shifted slightly, but the attack did little damage. Its glowing core remained steady, and it immediately turned toward its opponent.

The young man retreated, keeping his distance.

Ben watched from outside the barrier.

The golem’s movements were direct, but its strength was considerable. It didn’t need complicated techniques to threaten its opponent. Every strike carried enough force to end the test if it landed cleanly.

The young man continued dodging. He moved around the arena, using his speed to avoid the golem’s attacks. Whenever he found an opening, he launched a counterattack.

For the first minute, he managed to keep up.

A signal sounded from the arena.

The Combat Golem’s energy core brightened.

Its combat power increased by ten percent.

The change was immediately noticeable. The golem’s next punch came faster than before, forcing the young man to dodge with barely enough time. He stumbled as the shockwave swept past him.

The candidates watching from outside the barrier grew quiet.

The instructor’s voice rang out.

"One minute has passed. The Combat Golem’s combat power has increased."

The young man gritted his teeth and continued moving.

He had clearly expected the golem to become stronger, but the increase was more difficult to handle than he had imagined. His movements began to slow as he spent more energy dodging and counterattacking.

At the two-minute mark, the golem’s power increased again.

This time, the young man was unable to avoid a direct hit.

The golem’s fist struck his guard and sent him sliding across the arena. He fell to one knee, coughing as he struggled to recover.

The instructors watched carefully.

The young man tried to stand, but his legs trembled. He had already spent too much energy.

After a few seconds, he raised his hand.

"I surrender."

The Combat Golem immediately stopped.

The energy barrier opened, and two academy attendants entered the arena to help him out.

The instructor glanced at the screen.

"Participant one. Combat score: 327. Failed to meet the passing requirement."

A low murmur spread through the crowd.

The young man had survived for more than two minutes, yet his score was far below the required 500.

Some participants began to look nervous.

They had assumed that surviving for five minutes would be easy as long as they avoided the golem’s attacks. Now they understood that the examination evaluated more than simple evasion. They needed to demonstrate enough strength, control, and endurance to respond to the golem as its power increased.

Ben continued watching.

The first participant had made a mistake by spending too much energy during the opening minute. Once the golem grew stronger, he no longer had enough stamina to maintain his pace.

The instructor called the next name.

"Participant two, enter the arena."

A young woman stepped forward. She wore a fitted combat suit and carried a short spear. After entering the testing area, she took a steady stance before the Combat Golem.

"Begin!"

The golem moved toward her.

Unlike the first participant, the young woman did not retreat immediately. She waited until the golem was close, then thrust her spear toward its knee.

The spear struck with a burst of energy.

The golem’s movement slowed for a moment.

She used that brief opening to move away, keeping her distance while forcing the golem to turn. Her technique was more controlled than the previous candidate’s. She avoided wasting energy on attacks that had little chance of affecting the golem.

Ben nodded slightly.

She understood the purpose of the test.

The first minute passed.

The golem’s combat power increased.

The young woman adjusted her movements and continued to attack its joints. Her spear was not strong enough to damage the golem significantly, but her strikes disrupted its balance and slowed its movements.

At the second-minute mark, the golem became faster.

She was forced to retreat more often, but she continued to maintain a safe distance.

At three minutes, the golem’s power increased again.

The young woman narrowly avoided a sweeping strike. The attack passed close to her side and struck the barrier, sending a ripple of energy across its surface.

She took a deep breath and steadied herself.

The remaining two minutes would be the hardest.

The golem continued pressing forward. Its attacks grew more difficult to avoid, and the young woman’s movements gradually became less precise. Even so, she refused to panic.

At four minutes, the golem’s power increased once more.

The young woman was pushed back by a powerful strike. She landed on one knee, but she immediately rose and moved away before the golem could attack again.

The final minute began.

The candidates outside the barrier watched closely.

The young woman had already survived longer than the first participant. However, the golem was now significantly stronger than it had been at the beginning.

She continued to dodge, but her breathing had become heavy.

When the golem launched another attack, she moved aside and used her spear to push herself away from its reach. The movement left her off balance, and she nearly fell.

The timer reached five minutes.

A bell rang.

The Combat Golem stopped in place.

The young woman stood still for a moment before lowering her spear. She was exhausted, but she had completed the test.

"Participant two. Combat score: 684. Passed."

The instructor’s announcement drew a wave of relieved voices from the crowd.

The young woman left the arena, and the next participant was called.

The examination continued.

Some candidates relied on speed and evasion. Others used defensive techniques to withstand the golem’s attacks. A few tried to overpower it during the first minute, only to lose too much energy before the golem became stronger.

The results varied.

Some participants passed with scores just above 500. Others failed after being unable to keep up with the golem’s increasing strength.

Ben observed each fight carefully.

He paid attention to the golem’s attack patterns, the way its energy core changed during each increase, and the differences between the candidates who passed and those who failed.

The golem was not particularly skilled in combat. Its movements were simple, and it relied mainly on strength and speed. However, the steady increase in its power made the test difficult.

A cultivator who could not manage their energy would struggle to survive the final minute.

After several candidates had completed their tests, the instructor called another name.

"Participant twenty-three, enter the arena."

A tall young man stepped forward. His cultivation was at the peak of the Bronze Realm, and he carried a large sword across his back.

He entered the arena with confidence.

When the instructor gave the signal, the young man drew his sword and charged toward the golem.

His first strike landed against its chest.

The impact pushed the golem backward.

The young man followed with another attack, then another. His sword techniques were powerful, and he managed to force the golem onto the defensive during the opening minute.

Some candidates watching nearby began to whisper.

"He’s strong."

"His cultivation is only at the peak of the Bronze Realm, but his attacks are impressive."

"He might even damage the golem."

Ben watched without speaking.

The young man’s strength was certainly above average. However, his aggressive approach carried a risk.

The first minute ended.

The golem’s power increased by ten percent.

Its core glowed brighter, and it immediately launched a counterattack.

The young man blocked with his sword. The impact forced him backward, and his boots scraped across the arena floor.

He steadied himself and attacked again.

For the next minute, the two exchanged blows. The young man managed to hold his ground, but each clash consumed a considerable amount of energy.

At the two-minute mark, the golem grew stronger again.